RECORD 



^I3^SaS£I©SJ^3 5P:^(£>SSI2lDaSf(a©a 



REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE 

APrOINTED BY THE IIOUSiK OF URPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMOK- 
WEALTH OK PENNSYLVANIA, TO INqUIUE INTO THE MAT- 
TER OF AN ALLEGED ATTEMPT ON THE PART OF 

HENRY W. CONRAD, Esq. 

A MEMBER OF THE HOUSi; OF REPRESENTATIVES, FROM SCHUYLKIIX COCWTV, 
CORRUPTLY TO INFLUENCE AND BRIBE THE VOTE OF 

JACOB KREBS, Esq. 



A HEMBna CF THE SENATE, FROM THE SENATORIAL DISTRICT COMPOSED Off 
THE COUNTIES OF BERKS AND SCHUYLKILL, 



RELATIVE TO THE BILL ENTITLED 

"AM ACT TO REPEAL THE STATE TAX ON REAL AND PERSONAL PBO- 

PEKTY, AND TO CONTINUE AND EXTEND THE IMPROVEMENTS OF 

THE STATE BY RAILROADS AND CANALS, AND TO CHARTER A 

STATE BANK TO BE CALLED THE UNITED STATES BANK.^' 



Mr. STE-VENS, Chairman. 



Read in the House of Representatives, March 9, 1836. 



HARRISBURG: 

PRINTED BY THEO. FENN. 

1836. 






i6-z2-e 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE. 



Proceedings of the coMMirrES appointed bv the House of Re- 
presentatives, to inquire into the matter of the alleged attempt 
on the part of Henry W. Conrad, Esq., a member of the House 
of Re[>resentiitivos, from Schuylkill county, to influence and 
bribe the vote of Jacob Krebs, Est}, a member of the Senate 
from the senatorial district composed of the counties of Berks 
and Schuylkill, in reference to the bill entitled "An act to re- 
peal the state tax on real and personal property, and to continue 
and extend the improvements of the state by railroads and ca- 
nals, and to charter a state bank to be called the United States 

Bank." 
"f 

The committee, consiijting of the following members of the 

<A House of Representatives, met in the East committee room of the 

^ Capitol, on Monday, February 15, 1 836, at 3 o'clock, P. M. 

MESSRS. THADDEUS STEVENS, 

WILLL\M MENDENHALL, 
WILLIAM GRAHAM, 
LEWIS DEWART, 
NATHANIEL A. WOODWARD. 

Mr. Conra-d expressed a desire to have the following named gen- 
tlemen subpoenaed as witnesses in his behalf, and was directed bv 
the chairman to hand over the names to the Clerk of the House of 
Representatives, viz: John Ulrich, Jediah Irish, William Hotten- 
stem and Frederick Rinehart, Esqrs., and John Weaver of 
Pottsville. 

The members of tlie House u^ Representatives vv'hn had been 
subpoenaed as witnesses, as well as the committee, being desirous of 
attending the session uf the House, at half past I'lree o'clock, 

On motion, 

The committee adjourned to meet at three o'clock to-tnorrovi- 
afternoon. 



4 



TUESDAY, February IG, 1836, 3 o'clock, P. M. 

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. 

Mr. Conrad liuving stated to tlie committee that his attendan 
would be required before a comniittec of the Senate, at half pa«t 
three o'clock this afternoon, 

A motion was made by Mr. Woodward, 
That the committee adjourn, to meet again at seven o'clock thia 
evening. 

Which was agreed to, and 
The committee adjourned accordingly. 



ce 



TUESDAY, February 16, 1836, 7 o'clock, P. M. 

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. 

Col. Jacob Krebs was called, and being duly sworn, testified a» 
follows: 

The statement I gave to th.e Senate is correct. [Tiie statement 
was here read to Col. Krebs.] Yes, sir, that is correct. 

Question by the commUlec. — Do you give that as the substance 
of all the language made use of by Mr. Conrad on the subject, at 
the time referred to ? 

Answer. — It is correct, I believe. There might have, as I said 
before, been other things, but I do not recollect of any thing more. 
I dill not understand at the lime that he made an offer to me. He 
only told me at the time, tliatsuch a proposition could cr would be 
made. I did not take it as an ofitir at the time, or consider it so. 

Q,. Did you consider him at the time as making the offer by the 
authority of an}' other person ? 

A. I (lid believe that he had authority, the way 1 mentioned it 
then — that he said such and such a man would make the proposition. 

Q. Did you consider Mr. Conrad, from the conversation you had 
with him at that or any other tin-.e, as seriously making the propo- 
sition to you ^ 

A. 1 did so, at the time. 



Q,. Did you know at that time, and during the whole time 
llie bank bill was pending in the legislature, that Mr. Conrad waa 
an open and avowed opponent of the bank, and voting against it 
in every stage in the House ? 

A. I did. 

Q. How long was it, after this communication from Mr. Conrad, 
that you communicated these facts to any person ? 

A. 1 cannot recollect exactly how long it may have been, 

Q. To whom did you first communicate them ? 

A. I communicated it to no person that I mentioned names, until 
I read that paper in the Senate. 

Q,. To whom did you first communicate the fact of such an offer 
having been made ? 

A. I cannot just now recollect the first. I think that the first 
time I made known was in the letter I wrote home to my friends in 
Sciiuylkill county, and there I did not mention names — ;just the sura, 
perhaps, that might be got from voting fur the bill. 

Q. For what purpose was that letter written by you to your 
friends in Schuylkill county r 

A. For the purpose of making it public, that the people might sea 
tliat a body might get paid for voting for the bill. 

Q,. Was it for the purpose of being read at a public meeting, and 
did you so design the letter at the time jou wrote it .^ 
A. I did so design it. 

Did you in the letter itself request that the letter should be read 
ftt the meeting which was about to be held ? 

A. I did not — no sir. 

Q. If your only object was to iiiake public that bribes might be 
had, why did you not communicate that fact to the Senate of which 
you were a member, as .-oon as it was made to you ? 

A. After I considered it several days, [ did not know what to do 
myself — whether I should make it known or not ; and then 1 con- 
cluded that I would make it known, and wrote that letter, and then 
in a few days it came out here. 

Q. What was the date of the letter you wrote liome to your 
friends .'' 

A. I do not recollect the date of the letter. It was about the 
Sd (sr 4th of February — one of those days, I think. 

Q,. What day was the meeiiniy held at which this letter was to 
j>8 read ? 

A. It was to be held on the sixth, I believe. 

Q. Wlien you concluded to make public the fact through the te*- 



6 

ter whicli you have referred to, why did you not mention the name 
of the person through whom the twenty thousand dollar proposition 
was made to you ? 

A. I thought it was not necessary tor them to know it then who 
the persons were. If I had to make it known, I would make it 
kuown here who the persons were. 

Q. Is Mr. Conrad the Representative of the county into which 
you sent your letter stating the fact of this offer ? 
A. Yes, sir, he is. 

Q. Are you not a resident, and do you not represent the same 
county in the Senate ? 
A. Yes, sir. 

Q. Had you ever any more conversation with Mr. Conrad after 
he first disclosed it to you ? 

A. Not much, very little. I don't recollect what passed after- 
wards. 

Q. Did you ever hear Mr. Conrad making any expression about 
this subject in other company than yourself ? 
A. No, sir, not that 1 know of. 

Q. Have you ever conversed with Mr. Conrad on this subject, 
since he returned from his visit to Schuylkill county } 
A, Yes, sir, we have had some conversation since. 

Q. From the conversation you have liatl with Mr. Conrad since 
this became a matter of investigation in the Senate, have you been 
led to suppose that his hrst offer was made seriously, and has his 
conversation since corroborated that opinion ? 

A. Yes, sir, it has. 

Q. Do you believe that when Mr. Conrad first made the offer tf> 
you, that it was soberly and seriously doT;e as offers are made 
between man and mat) r 

A. I did consider him serious, when lie told me so. 

Q. Did lie mention to you on what authority lie made the o.Ter ? 

A. He mentioned no authority. 

Q. Where did he make you this offer .^ 

A. In my boarding house, at Ijoyer's, the conversation took 
place. 

Q. Where there any other persons present at the time } 
A. Yes, sii', there \vere some persons present. 



QUESTIONS BY MR. CONRAD. 

Q. When you say that I was serious, do you thereby think that 
1 was serious in wishing you to accept of what I said had beeu 
proposed to me ? 

A. When I said that I thattghryou were serious, I did not wish 
to be understood as meaning to say that you seriously desired me 
to accept the proposition. 

Q. Are we to understand, when you say that I was serious, that 
I was serious in saying that a proposition of this kind had been 
made to me ? 

A. Yes — that is my meaning. 

Q. Did you consider what I then said as an inducement to you 
to accept, or rather as an exposure ? 

A. I did not think that you intf^nded to persuade me to it — 
rather to expose it. 

Q. How long have you known me } 

A. I cannot tell exactly — twenty years, I suppose, perhaps more. 

Q. Have you known me long enough to know when I am serious 
in my manner, and when I am in fun or jesting? 
A. I think I have. 

Q. Then vi^lien I spoke to you in the manner I spoke to you there, 
friMii the length of time you have known me, you feel yourselt con- 
iident in thinking that I was serious ? 

A. I did think so. 

Queslion by Ch. Co. — Did Mr. Burd Patterson over oft'er 
vou twenty tiiousand dollars, or any other sum, if yon would vote 
lor that bill ? 

A. Mr. Patterson never offered me any thing — never made any 
proposition to me. 

The examination of Col. Krebs closed here for tiie present, and 
Jacob Plank v/as called. Mr. Plank did not answer at the time, 
but appeared subsequently. 

John Ba\nan, Esq. was then called and sworn, but, at the sug- 
gestion of the Chairman, his examination was deferred until lo- 
moHOW. 

Burd PAxrEnsox was then called, and appeared. Mr. Conrad 
objected to him on tlie ground that he was a party implicated, and 
therefore incompetent to testify. The committee overruled the ob- 
jection, and Mr. Patterson was affirmed, and testified as follows: — 

QUESTIONS BY COMMITTEK. 

Q. Will you state to this committee, sir, whether you ever 



directly or indirectly, in person or througli any other agency, au- 
thorized Mr. Conrad to say to Mr. Krebs, that if he would vote tor 
the bill to charter the Bank of the United States, that he should be 
made independent, and get twenty thousand dollars for his vote ? 

A. No, sir. I never did, neither directly or indirectly, make 
any such offer. 

Q. Had you ever any conversation with Mr. Conrad in regard 
to the re-charter of the 'United States Bank? 

A. I had. 

Q. "Will you relate the conversation? 

A. I wanted Mr. Conrad, as our member, to use his exertions 
with Mr. Krebs to obtain an amendment to the improvement or 
bank bill as it is called, by which we could obtain an appropriation 
of two hundred thousand dollars to the Pottsville and Danville rail- 
road. I had conversation with Mr. Conrad tv,'ice. Tiiat was about 
the substance of our conversation. I thought that Mr. Conrad and 
Mr. Krebs were the proper channels through which we siiould en- 
deavour to obtain that money, they being our representatives. 

Q. Did you ever express any anxiety to Mr. Conrad in regard 
to the passage of this bill? 

A. I did not — not unconnected wtth this appropriation for tlvo 
Pottsville and Danville railroad. I was very anxious that he should 
succeed in getting that for the road. 

Q. AV here had you this conversation with Mv. Conrad? 
A. I had one conversation with Mr. Conrad in the rotunda, anil 
the other, I think, at his desk in the House of Representatives. 

Q Was it before the bill had passed the House of Representa- 
tives, or afterwards? 

A. I think it was after. One conversation, I think was after, 
and the other before. 

Q. Are you connected with the United States bank, either as a 
stockholder or agent? 

A. No, sirj 1 am not a stockholder or agent. 

Q. Have you been an agent during t!ie winter or session? 

A. Never. 

Q. Did you ever say to Mr. Conrad that you would be willing 
to give a certain amount of money, or that you would give so nuich 
if the bill would pass? 

A. No, sir, not one cent. 

Q. Did you never say to Mr. Conrail nor to Mr. Krebs, that 
yourself or Mr. Krebs would be personally benefittod by the pas- 
sage of the bill? 

A. I am entirely confident and certain that I never did say any 



thino- about Mr. Krebs being personally benefitted. I have no re- 
collection of any conversation respecting myself being personally 
benefitted. 

QUESTIONS BY MR. CONRAD. 

Q. Who was present at the desk when you and me had the tirsfe 
conversation.'' 

A. I think Mr. Nichols was present, though I am not quit© 
certain 

Q. Do you recollect what passed between us at the time? 
A. I know that the conversation was about the Pottsville and 
Danville railroad. 

Q. Did you not say to me that it would be better that I should 
vote for some of the amendments offered to the bill as a means of 
inducing others to vote for those offered for the benefit of ouir 
county.^ 

A. No, sir, I did not say so. 

Q. Did you not request me to offer as an amendment to the bill 
the ^200,000 to the Danville and Pottsville railroad, and ask me 
to vote for it, and say that you thought it would cany? 

A. I only recollect of urging ftlr. Conrad to try to obtain the 
8200,000. I do not recollect the precise words. I only know 
that I was anxious that he should obtain it. It is impossible tu 
recellect all the words that passed at such a time as that. 

Q. Under what impression did you leave me at that time — un- 
der the impression that I would move the amendment? 
A. Under the impression that you would not. 
Q. Do you recollect the reasons I gave you why I would not? 
A. I do not, only your general hostility to the bill. 

Q. Don't you recollect that I said that I was opposed to th« 
general provisions of the bill, or that I would not offer any amend- 
ment whereby it could be construed, either directly or indirectly, 
that I was in favour of tiie bill? 

A. I only recollect your refusal to do it. 

Q. Did I, in making that refusal, treat you harshly or disrespect- 
fully, or use any ill language? 
A. No, sir, not that I remember. 

Q. At the time you met me in the rotunda, where did you come 
from? 

A. I don't recollect where I came from; I cnly recollect that I 
met you there. 

' Q. Do you recollect the commencement of the conversation iii 
tiie rotunda? 



10 

A. I don't recollect the particulars — only that I wished you to 
use your iniiuence with Mr. Krebs, and that you refused and went 
ofi' into the House of Representatives. 

Q. Do you recollect that the first pait of the conversation was, 
that you had now made arrangements in the Senate; that if Col. 
K'ebs would now oRer an amendment for £200,000 to tlie Potts- 
ville and Danville railroad, and vote for it, that it would pass ? 

A. No sir, not that I had made arrangements in the Senate. 
I would understand language better than to say 1 had made ar- 
langements in the Senate; that I said 1 had made arrangements 
in the Senate, is not true. 

Q. Did you say that you had made any other arrangements? 

A. N© sir. I recollect of telling you that I thought I could get 
the ^200,000 to the Pottsville and Danville railroad, if you and 
Mr. Krebs would use your influence to get something of that kind. 
My reason for that was, that I had heard Mr. Stevens tell Mr. 
Dewart, that if he, (Mr. D.) would vote for his bill, he (Mr. S.) 
would vote for the amendment. I thought by that we could get 
somethino; too. 

Q. Did I then not tell you that it was not worth while to try to 
influence Col. Krebs, as his opinion and mine agreed; that we were 
both opposed to *he provisions of the bill, and that neither of us 
would do any tiling, eit'ier directly or indirectly, whereby it might 
be construed that we were in favor of the bill.^ 

A. You just ir.ave me to understand that you would not do any 
Ihing; th-ityou would take no trouble about it. 

Q. Did you iiotthen mention to me or explain the great interest 
it would be to us all if this bill passed; that it would make us all 

rich? 

A. No sir, there was uo further conversation between us. 

Q. Did you not s iy tliat you did not think hard of me for the 
course 1 took in the oiher House, being that I would perhaps be up 
for ofiice again; but that Col. Krebs had been very long in office, 
he had been in Congress, and eight years in the Senate, and it was 
not supposed he would be up for office again; that if he could be 
induced to vote for this bill, he could retire from office indepen- 
dent? 

A. No sir, not one word (f that is true. 

Q. You said io the Senate committee, that I goton my high horse, 
looking big, and w;ilkin:j; olV— what did you mean by that? 
A. 1 say so here. You looked big and walked ofl". 
Q. Are you not a large owner of lands in Schuylkill county? 
A. I own a good deal of land. 

Q. Do you own any huids which, by the getting of those ,$200j- 



11 

000 to the Pottsville and Danville railroad, would be enhanced ia 
value? 

A. Yes sir. 

Question by Mr. Dewart. Did you ever, by your conversation 
with Mr. Conrad, liold out way encouragement which would in- 
duce him to believe Mr. Krebs would be benefitted by liis voting for 
the bill.? 

A. No sir, T never did. ' 

On motion of Mr. Dev»/^art, 

The committee adjourned to meet at seven o'clock to-morrow 
evenins:. 



WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUA31Y IT, 1836. 

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. 

Col Krebs was called and asked if he had received the letter to 
which reference was had in tiie previous part of these proceedings, 
lie answered, that he had received the letter, and at the request of 
tile chairman handed it to the committee. The letter was then 
read and the secretary directed to take a copy. 

The following questions were then propounded to Col. Krebs bj 
the committee. 

Question. Wa.^ there any person in this tov/n who knew you had 
vv'ritten the letter, until you declared it to the Senate ? 

Answer. It wai known that I had wiitten a letter before, but I 
don't know tliat any body knew the contents of the letter at that 
time. 

Q. How so,)n after you wrote the letter, was it known to any 
person in thist.uvn that you had written it ? 

A. 1 believe there IkuI beiu people come here after the 6th of 
February, and I bflieve, that thev told in town, that such a letter 
had been read at tlie p.vjetin,^;- It was on Monday morning I heard 
so. 

Q. Yv'hen did Mr. Conrad nest know that you liad written a 
letter on that subject ? 
A. do not know. I cannot tell. 

Q. Befire you wrote that letter, did you inforni any person that 
you intended to write il ? 
A. I did not. 



12 

Q. Did you state to any Senator, that such an oft'er as the 
820,000 one, hail been made to you, until the news that you had 
written such a letter had been brought from Schuylkill county r 

A. Not that I can recollect of. 

Q. When did you first inform the Senate that such a proposi- 
tion had been made to you ? 

A. I had mentioned it to two or three Senators, but had never 
mentioned the sum or the particulars before 1 made it known in 
the Senate. 

Q. I understand that you announced it to the Senate on tha 
same day that that statement [the statement made by Mr. Krebs 
to Senate,] bears date ? 

A. I did, I believe. 

Q. Did you state the facts to any Senator before the Sunday 
night before the information was brought from Schuylkill of your 
having written the letter ? 

A. I had mentioned it to a few of the Senators a day or two be- 
fore. I can't recollect how many. I stated to one or two Sena- 
tors that such an oft'er had been made, but did not state the partic- 
ulars, nor mention names. 

Q. Did you inform any person that you had written this letter 
before you sent it away ? 

A. No, sir, I did not. I had no conversation with any body 
about it, until the news came back that I had sent such a letter. 

Q. That is the same letter that you sent .'' [Meaning the one pre- 
sented by Mr. Krebs to the committee.] 
A. Yes, sir, that is my own hand writing. 

Q. Did any individual in Harrisburg, who is a member of either 
branch of the legislature, ever advise you to write this letter .'' 
A. No, sir. 

Q. After you had determined to make public the offer which had 
been made to you, what reason had you for withholding this infor- 
mation from the Senate, and sending it to your constituents in 
Schuylkill county.^ 

A. I had no particular reason that I can recollect, at the time, 
only I knew tliat there would be a meeting, and that it would be 
read at the meeting. That was my reason for withholding it. 

Q. Did you make any statement to the Senate^ before a resolu- 
tion was offered upon the subject, in that body.'* 

A. No, sir. I made it the same day, after the resolution was 
offered. In the morning, before the Senate riiet, I had some conver- 
sation with Mr. Fullerton. He said he would offer the resolution, 
and I told him he should do so and then I would make it all pub- 
lic. 



13 

Q. Had you made up your mind at the time you wrote this let- 
tci-, to make a disclosure of the whole affair? 

A. I did intend to do it at the time I wrote the letter. 

The examination olCol. iCrebs closed here, and Col. Maxwell 
XiiNNKDY, a member of the House of Representatives from Lan- 
caster county, being called and allirmed, testified as follows: — ■ 

QUESTIONS BY THE COMMITTEE. 

Q. Did you ever hear Mr. Conrad say wit!i reganl to this pro- 
position which was said to be made through him to Mr. Krebs, re- 
lative to givins; kim the §20,000 to vote for the bank bill, and if 
you did, state what you iieard him say.^ 

Q. On the day of Mr. Conrad's return from Schuylkill county, 
I walked with him a part of the way down the board walk. 1 
opened a conversation with him on the subject of the bribery. 1 
told liiin I supposed it was all a jest, the oiTer that had been made 
to him; that the whole conversation about the bribe had been jest- 
ing. His reply to me was, "-A'o, damn Ike jest was in il," I think 
that was the expression. He said he had been authorized to make 
the arrangement with Mr. fvrebs, by a man able to pay the money, 
f nd he thought an agent of the bank. That was the amount of all 
that was said on the subject; v/e very soon after separated. 

Q. Was this before or after the resolution was adopted by the 
House and the committee appointed.^ 

A. The resolution had been offered, I think, by Mr. Stevens fliat 
morning. It was going down to dinner that day that wc had tiitf 
conversation. 



QUESTIONS BY MR. CONRAD. 

Q. Dfi I understand you to say that I meant, v.hen I said "iVo, 
dmnn the jest ?/y<.s in iV," that it was no jest that I liad received 
such an oifer, or that it was no jest that I had proposed it to Col. 
Krebs, for the purpose of inducing him to accept it? 

A. My understanding was that it was no jest in the man that 
offered it — that you considered it a real offer by a man able to pay 
it, and by a man you believed to be an agent of the bank. 

Q. From the eonversafion we had, did 1 give you to understand 
that in speaking to Col. Krebs about it, I did it with the intention 
to induce him to accept it, or to expose it ? 

A. You said you considered yourself fully empowered to make 
the arrangement with Mr. Krebs, but as to the use you made of 
that power, I think you did not tell me whether you tried to mak* 
use ot it or not. 

The examination of Col. Kennedy here closed, and the Chairman 



14 

informed Mr. Conrad that the committee were ready to hear any 
evidence he might be disposed to offer toucliing the matter before 
them. Mr. Conrad tlien called — 

JoHx Ulrich, Esq. who was affirmed, and testitied as loUows: — 
QUESTIONS BY MR. CONRAD. 

Q. 1 wish you now to state to the coinmittee what took phice the 
flay — I think it was on Thursday — when I came into Mr. Boyer's 
sitting room, where you all were — what I stated to you and all — 
and in what manner I stated it ? 

A. I believe that Col. Krebs, Mr. Irish, Mr. Hottenstein and 
several other gentlemen v/ere in the room at the time. Mr. Conrad 
came into the room in his usual cheerful manner, and addicssed 
himself to the Colonel. He said, '• why, Colonel, fortune awaits 
you !" You have been a member of congress, and now eight years 
a member of the Senate of Pennsylvania, and if lie would vote fur 
the bank bill he might retire from public life independent. All he 
would have to do was to make it known to Burd i'aUersoiJ, and lie 
would have the money two weeks after the bill I'ad passed. lie 
said 20,000 dollars wojld make a man in the country independent. 
This was one side of the picture ; but what was the other side } to 
have the unerring finger of scorn pointed at you, and being poli- 
tically damned. With that the Colonel got up and walked to the 
other side ot the room, and said, '' I am poor, but the bank has nut 
got money enough to buy me." That is the amount of the con- 
versation at that time, as far as I can i ecollect. 

Q. Did I not say too, to be hated and despised by his consti- 
tuents ? 

A. I cannot recollect for certain. 

Q. And that the bounds of the United States would not conceal 
him ? 

A. There might have been such language expressed, but I can- 
not say that I do recollect it just now. 

Q. Did you consider from the manner I spoke — did I speak it 
softly to h.im, sr in such manner as Induced you to suppose tliat I 
wanted him to accept of it r 

A. From the conversation that had taken place, I believed it to 
be an exposure. 

Q. Did I speak it aloud, that it might ba\e been heard by others } 
A. Yes, sir. 

Q. You have known me a good while. Have you known me long 
enough to know when I am jesting and when I am in earnest ^ 

A. From the time that I have been acquainted with you I believe 
that I do. 

Q. Well, from the knowledge you had of me, had you any 



15 

doubts but that I was serious that such a proposition harl been 
made to me ? 

A. After I had reflected awhile upon what the conversation was, 
I bi'lieved it to be serious. 

QUESTIONS BY THE COMMITTEE. 

Q. You say jou considered it an exposure. Do I understand 
you as believing at the time that Mr. Conrad seriously intended to 
convey the idea, that he had been authorized to say that if Mr. 
Krebs would vote for the bank bill he would receive 20,000 dollars 
for it in two weeks after it became a law ? 

A. I believed him to be serious, after I had reflected upon the 
subject. 

Q. Did you believe, from the manner in which Mr. Conrad made 
the proposition, that he was desirous or wished Mr. Krebs to ac- 
cept it ? 

A. No, sir. 

Q. Have you had conversation with Mr. Conrad since he re- 
turned here from Schuylkill county? 
A. Not in particular on this subject. 

The examination of Mr. Ulrich rested here, and Mr. Conrad 
called, 

Jediah Irish, who being sworn, testified as follows: 

QUESTIONS BY MR. CONRAD. 

Q. You were likewise presebt, Mr. Irish. State to the commit- 
tee what took place there? 

A. Mr. Ul rich's statement is substantially correct, and as near 
as I can possibly recollect, down to where he said the Colonel could 
retire to private life with an independent fortune, if he would vote 
for the bank bill. Furtherthan that 1 have no recollection of the 
conversation that passed. 

Q. You have no distinct recollection of the latter part? 
A. I have not. 

Q. In what manner was the language that I spoke uttered, soft- 
ly or loud, or how? 

A. It was spoken in your usual tone of voice. 

Q. Was it addressed particularly to Colonel Kreb's ear, or so 
that every body might hear it? 

A. Any person, I should have supposed, in the room or bar 
room could have heard it. 

Q. Did you believe me serious at the time, that such propositiou 
had been made to me. 

A. I did not. It was all the time that the bank bill was in 



16 

pfop-ess in the House, the ptincipal topic of conversation at our 
boarding house, in which Mr. Cunrad generally had a full share. 
I recollect of hearing him say at another time, and I dont know- 
but inor3 than once, that the bill would pa^s the House of Repre- 
sentatives, and that there was nothing to prevent itj but in the 
Senate would be liie rub — that would be the place for f-ome of 
tiie Senators to make money in, &c. Colonel Krebs being the 
only Senator that was boarding at our House, all the conversation 
that 1 heard of this kind in ids presence, I considered as rather 
quizzical — as joking with him. I considered this language ad-' 
dressed to the Colonel, on this particular day, in the same light 
when J heard it. 

Q. Then the language tliat I addrossedto the Colonel, whether 
Ycu considerei! it joking or sincere, did it convey to you the idea 
that I wished to induce the Colonel to accept of the offer .^ 

A. I would not have drawn any other inference at the time 
than that it was a jest or joke. If 1 had considered it otherwise, 
I am confident that I should have recollected all the conversation, 
and sliouid have made some inquiry of Mr. Conrad respecting it 
alter wards. 

QUESTiONS BY THE COMMITTEE. 

Q. Have you had any conversation with Mr. Conrad on this sub- 
ect since he returned home? 
A. Yes, sir. 

Q. From what conversation you have had with him, has he given 
you to understand that he was serious when he told Mr. Krebs 
tbftt he would get that amount? 

A. He gave me to understand that he was serious; that there 
had been an offer made, or something to that effect. 

Q. Do I understand you to say that all the conversation tliat 
passed between Mr. Conrad and Mr. Krebs was in jest or in fun? 

A. I believe that all the conversation I heard on the subject, in 
presence of Col. Krebs, was in jest or fun. I did not consider it 
any thing else. Before this conversation — that was particularly 
addressed to Col. Krebs; it was some days before, while the bank 
bill was in progress in the House — I was walking with Mr. Conrad. 
Some of the conversation passed in relation to the bill being cramp- 
ed in the Senate, and that would be the place to make money. I 
asked Mr. Conrad if he believed that thrre was any thing like bri- 
bery going on. He told me that he did not know, that he put 
himself among the friends of the bank for the purpose of ascertain- 
ing, ii he could, and if there was any thing of the kind, it was so 
far removed from the bank, that there could be no handle made of 
it, and I think he added, that he could get nothing more than a bot- 
tle of wine and seventeen segars. I should just as readily have 
beJicved that Mr. Conrad was serious in saying what he did on 



17 

this occasion, as I would that w!iat iie said in the coiiversatiou ad- 
dressed to Col. Krebson that particular day, was sei-ious. I don't 
know that I ever observed any difference in his manner, or differ- 
ent conversation. 

Q. Was the conversation wlierein we mentioned the seventeen 
segars, before or after the conversation with Col. Krebs, alluded to? 

A. 1 think it was before. I heard Mr. Conrad mention the cir- 
cumstance of getting the seventeen segars, a number of times: I 
think before and after. 

Q. Do you recollect the observation you made when the segars 
were mentioned. Did you say any thing about leather? 

A. I think it probable I did. " You got it from a leather man," 
or something of this kind. 

The examination of Mr. Irish rested here, and John Ui.kich, 
Esq. was again called, and testified as follows: 

Question by the committee. — Did you, from the conversation or 
conduct of Mr. Conrad, believe that he was holding out a bribe to 
Mr. Krebs to vote for the bank bill.^ 

A. No, not from the manner he expressed himself. 
The examination of Mr. Ulrich rested here, and 

On motion of Mr. Mendenhal!, 
The committee adjourned untd 7 o'clock toonorrovv evening. 



THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1836, 7 o'clock, P. M. 

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. 

Solomon Hower was called and being sworn, testified as fol- 
lows : 

QUESTIONS BY THE COMMITTEE. 

Q. State to the committee, whether you heard Mr. Conrad say 
any thing relative to any bribes having been offered to members of 
the legislature, to procure their votesj and if he did, state by whom 
he said the bribes were offered. 

Aq This day a week I was coming over from Newcastle — yes- 
terday a week we left Newcastle, and came on to Plank's tavern. 

2 



18 

six miles from here. I got to Mr. Plank's a little ahead of Mr, 
Conrad. 1 was there a little while before he came in. Mr. Con- 
rad came into the house and said, "The devil is loose over therel" 
Mr. Plank, the man ot the house, said "Why?" and Mr. Conrad 
replied, there was a man going over to Pottsville with an attach- 
ment for Mr. Patterson, but, says he, it aint worth while for them 
to be so very strict, for the antimasons have oifered me ^'20,000, 
privately and publicly, if I would. go in favour of the bank, and 
get Squire Krebs to go in favour of it too. That's all I know about 
it. 

Q. Where is the tavern that you mention .-* 

A. It is six miles above here — on the road from Pinegrove out. 

Q. How did you come to be subpoenaed here ? 

A. 1 donH know. 

Q. Are you acquinted with Mr. Conrad? 

A. I know the gentleman these several years. I am not so well 
acquainted with hiiv?. He has been out twice for representative. 

Q. From your acquaintance with Mr. Conrad, at the time you 
saw him at the tavern, did you believe him to be in earnest or in 
jest ? 

A. 1 had reason to believe it from what I know. I don't know 
that he is a man that would say any thing that is not so — at least 
1 never knew it. 

Q. In what county do you reside ? 

A. I live in Schuylkill county, in the town of New Castle. 

Q. When were you subpoenaed ? 

A. Yesterday. 

Q. Had you mentioned this conversation to any person before 
you were subposn^ied ? and if yes, to whom ? 

A. Yes, sir, I liad — to Mr. Brobst — to Samuel Brobst, formerly 
of Cattawissa — he nov/ lives in Schuylkill county. 

Q. What led you to mention this conversation to him ? 

A. I was a stranger in tlie place. 1 had never been here before. 
1 heard dift'erent stories after I got here. Mr. Brobst and me had 
been raised neighbour boys in Columbia county. 1 wanted to find 
out s' niething, so I put the question to him to know if there was 
any thing of it, or not. 

Q. What did you state to him ? 

A. I stated to him the same as I have staited here — -what Mr. 
Conrad said over at Mr. Plank's. 

Q. Do you reside near Mr. Brobst when yoa are at home ? 
A. We live nine miles aparh 



19 

Q. Is Mr. Brobst now in this town ? 
A. Yes, sir, he is. 

Question by Mr. Dcwarf. — Do you know what Mr. Brobst's 
present business is here ? 

(The committee decided that this question was not a proper one.) 

Q. Are you politicallv connected with Mr. Conrad, or are you 
not .'' Do you belong to his party, or do you not } 

A. I did in part. I did not go exactly with his party at the last 
election. 

QUESTIONS BY MR. CONRAD. 

Q. Did you support me for the legislature at the hist election, 
or did you not } 
A. I did not. 

Q. How long do you suppose we were together at the tavern of 
Mr. Plank, after I arrived there } 

A. I should think we were there the best part of half an hour, as 
near as i can recollect. 

Q,. When i said that the devil was loose, vras that at the com- 
mencement, when I first came in.' 

A. Its the first that I took notice of. You said something to Mr. 
Plank, such as how do you do t As near ag I can recollect I asked 
you take something to drink, and then you made these jemarks. 

Q. Were not we conversing nearly the whole part of that half 
hour on this subject? 

A. After we took a drink, then Squire Reitschneider and me went 
out to try to hurry off. You were talking with the other gentle- 
men— strangers— I did not know the men - out on the porch. 

Q,. You are sure then that i said it was offered to me and to Col. 
Kr«bs ? 

A. You said *' I was offered ^20,000 if I would go in favor of the 
bank, and get Mr. Krcbs to go ui fivor of the bank also." 

Q,. Did I not say that a proposition had been made to me, to in- 
duce Col. Krebs to vote for it, of ^20,000, or something of that kind? 

A. I don't recollect. The first that I took notice of it, was the 
words that I stated. 

Q. Are you sure that 1 said the anti masons ." 

A. I understood you so, at all evcnt>. 

Q. Did I not mention that a person had made the proposition to 
me } 

A. I don't kaow that he did that. 



20 

Q,. Did I mention that these were 100 antimasons or 1000 r 
A. He mentioned no number. 

Q. You did not hear me speak. I was speaking then in conver- 
sation on this subject the whole time that 1 was there. You only 
heard these words, or did you hear more of it ^ 

A. You were repeating the words over at different times there. 

Q. Did you hear me explain the particulars ? 

A. No, sir, 1 svent out. Squire Reifschneider and rne went out.. 
He was talking to the other men. I don't dnow who they were. 

Q. Did you hear me say, when I spoke of public inducements 
held out, did I not say it had been offered publicly ii! debates in the 
House, that if they would vote for the bill they could have part of 
the bonus ? 

A. No, not that I can recollect. 

Questions by Mr. Dewart. — Did you relate Mr.' Conrad's conver- 
sation to any other person but Mr. Brobst, either before or since vou 
had been subpcenaed ? 

A. Not until to day. I was asked by a gentleman in the House, 
I think it was Mr. Stevens— 1 don't know the gentleman — that was 
the name I was informed by Mr. Brobst. I may have mentioned 
it to John Weaver coming over. 

Q. Did Mr. Brobst take you to Mr. Stevens before or after youn 
had been subpoenaed ^ 

A. To-day. I never knew the gentleman before. 

Q. Did you relate what passed between you and Mr. Coniad t 

A. I related the substance of it when he asked me. 

Q. Did Mr. Brobst inform you that he would have you subpoenaed 
after you told him of the conversation ? 

A. No Sir. 

Questions by Mr. fVoodivard. — When did you arjive in this 
place ^ 

A. About 12 o'clock to-day. 

Q. When and where were you subpoenaed? 

A. Yesterday, at Newcastle, in Schuylkill county. 

QUESTIONS BY MR. CONRAD. 

Q,. Did Mr, Brobst take you to Mr. Stevens (o-day ? 

A. Yes, sir. 

(i. And introduce you to him ? 

A. Yes, sir. 

Q. Did Mr. Stevens question you about what you knew? 



31 

A. He asked if I knew any thing concerning this conversation, 
•or case — asked nie what had been spoken at Mr. Plank's — something 
to tliat purpose. 

The examination of Mr. Plank rested here, and Mr. Conrad 
asked that Squire Reifschneider might be subpoenoed. He was di- 
rected by the chairman to hand the name of Mr. R. and any other 
witnesses he might desire to hava subpoenaed, to the Clerk of the 
House of Representatives, in order that a subpoena might issue. 

John Weaver was then called hy Mr. Conrad, but being some- 
what indisposed, was excused until to-niorrovv evening. 

BuRD Patterson was again called, and testified further as fol 
lows: 

QUESTIONS BY MR. CONRAD. 

Q. I think you said over in the Senate committee, that you had 
went down to the city of Philadelphia, to make yo'irself acquaint- 
ed with how much bonus the bank would bear — to make yourself 
acquainted with the directors for that purpoie ? 

A. I endeavoured to obtain that information from such of the 
direcfors of the Unitsd States b;ink, and other bank men, as I 
could meet with. 

Q. Had you any conversation with Thomas Blddlc on the sub- 
ject ? 

A. No, sir, I had not. 

Q. Have you and Thomas Biddie any pecuniary connectiona ? 

A. Yes, sir, we have property together. 

Q. Are you not his agent in Schuylkill county ? 

A. No, sir. 

Q. Is this Thomas Biddie a stockholder in the Miner's bank of 
Pottsville .= 

(Overruled by the committee.) 

Q. Did you not write a letter (\ct\vn to Philadelphia on the sub- 
ject of the bank, to one v/ho is iniimately connected with the bank, 
since you have been here? 

A. Yes, sir, I received a letter from Mr. James Peal, wlio is 
one of thp clerks of the bank, to know what Were the prospects of 
the charter of the bank — I presume he felt an interest from his 
situation in the bank. I answered that letter, stating what I sup- 
posed the prospects were, and that they would have to pay a much 
bigger bonus than was then in the bill. 

Question by Mr. Bewart. Did you ever, by any conversation 
with Mr. Conrad, or any other person in his presence, hold out 



22 

an inducement to cause Mr. Conrad to believe Mr. Krebs would 
be benefitted bj the bank if he would vole for the bill ? 

A. No, sir, never, not the slightest inducements. 

The examination of Mr. Patterson rested herej and 
On motion of Mr. Dewart, 

The committee adjourned until three o'clock on Saturday after- 



SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1836. 



The committee met pursuant to adjournment, at three o'clock. 
P. M. 

Petek FiLBEiiT was called, and being sworn, testified as fol- 
lows: 

QUESTIONS BY COMMITTEE. 
Q. Where do you reside 1 
A. In Pinegrove borough, in SchayUcill county 

Q. Did you hear Mr. Conrad say any thing about any biiberj 
which had been offered to any member of the Ifgisluturc.^ 

A. 1 cannot recollect that he just exactly said bribery, but he 
was then at my house, and lie was telling me that the bank either 
had or would [lass. I then told him that I always believed that 
there would be a majority in the Senate against the bank. He then 
marked down their names on a list of the Senators, and he made 
a little ring around some of the members' names, and said (hey 
were elected as bank men, and then he made, with a pencil, black 
dots opposite eight of them, and said they were elected as Jackson 
and Anti-bank men, and he for Ids part could not say what was the 
cause of them voting for -the bank, but he supposed they were 
bouglit or were bribed. 

[A printed list marked B. was here sliown to witness. He "'as 
asked if that was the list of members to which he ^lad reference, 
and answered.] 

A. I could not say that that was the list — it is very much like 



23 

it. It counts exactly so. When we were counting up the black 
dots, Mr. Conrad saifl there was nine, but there was one that 
had not voted for it- That is all that I recollect hearing him say 
about it. 

Questions by Mr. Woodward. 

Q. Do you remember any name that he mentioned as having 
been bought .^ 

A. I don't recollect that I do. 

Q. This list of Senators was then at your house at the time he 
made the dot;^.^ 

A. It resem.bles that one in the dots. 

Question hy Mr. Dewart. 

Q. Did you ever hear Mr. Conrad say that he was authorized 
by any person to offer any money to Mr. Krebs, provided he 
would vote for the bank bill.^ 

A. I don't know that I did. I am not certain. 

Question, by Mr. Conrad, — Is that the paper then which was up 
in your bar room? 

A. I put a private mark on the paper, and this is the list to the 
bast of my knowledge. I could not »ay positively that this is the 
list, but it has all the marks like those I put upon the one in my 
house. ' 

Questions by Mr. Deivart. — What were the names of the men 
v.ho took tlie list away.'' 

A. It was Martin Weaver of Pottsville. 

Q. Did he tell you what was the reason he was going to take it 
away.'' 

A. Not that I recollect. Its very likely he did. 

qup:stions by mr. conrad. 

Q. You are sure that is tlie p:5pcr? 

A. As I stated before, it is marked in the same way. 

Q. Did tliose men take it away? 

A. Mr. Weaver took it away. At least when he went to take 
it away, I went into another room. Jacob B. VVeidman was also 
at the house. He also made some private mark. 

Q. Is Mr. Weidman here? 
A. Not that I know of. 

Q. Do you know who else was present at the time I should 
have made tliese remarks? 

A. I do not know — there were a number of persons present. 



24 

Q. How many do you suppose? 

A. May be between five and ten, and may be more. I did not 
pay any attention to the number. 

Q. Was tlie conversation in German or English? 
A, I think it was in German, but am not certain. Generally if 
I have the choice, I speak the German. 

Q. Was not Jacob Kethar with me there? 

A. I don't know. It's very likely he did come with you. 

Q. When I came in, do you recollect who commenced the con- 
versation about the bank bill? 

A. No, I do not. 

Q. Didn't you tell me that you heard it had passed the House? 

A. Its very likely I did. 

Q. Did you not ask me wiiat would be its fate in the Senate? 

A. It'ri very likely I did. 

Q. Didn't I tell you that on Saturday before I started, there had 
been a test question, which had went in favor of the bank, that it 
passed through committee of the whole on Saturday? 

A. It's very likely you did. I don't recollect. 

Q. And that it had passed on the test question — 21 in favor and 

12 against it? 

A. If my recollection is right, you said there was a majority of 
eight in favor of the bank. 

Q. Did you not then ask me, why was it the Wolf or T\Iuhlen- 
burg men fell off? 

A. I believe that I asked if they were all Wolf or Muhlenberg 
men that fell off, and you said they were equally divided — four 
and four. 

' Q. Did'nt you then say, (going up to the bill that was hanging 
there,) point them out? 

A. It's very like I did. I knew that if you would have told me 
1 would not recollect the name. 

Q. Did'nt 1, on feeling in my pocket and finding that I had no 
pencil, ask for the loan of yours? 
A. You did. 

Q. After I had marked the in, did you not say, how came they 
to fly the course and vote for the bank bill? 
A. Yes, it may be. 

Q. Did I not say that I could not exactly tell? 

A. You said that you supposed they were bribed or bought. 



' 25 

Q. Dicl'nt I say that the common report was that they wei'C 
bribed or bougcht? 

A. Mr. Conrad said he supposed — that I believe is the very- 
word he used — that he supposed they were baught or bribed. 

Q. Did I say that I positively knew, or that 1 knew they were 
bought or bribed? 
A. No, sir- 

Q. What is the bill called there by the people generally ? 
A. The big bank bill. I don't recollect that I heard other names. 

Q. Is it not called the bribery and corruption bill by many 
people? 

A. It's very like that I heard it so caliad; it's not the general 
talk in Pinegrove. Very many there are in favor of it. 

Q. Were you in favor of the bank bill? 

A. I never read it. I was in favor of chartering the bank — I 
was in favor of it as much as I knew. 

Q. Was there a letter read in your tavern that came from me? 

A. Not in my presence. 

Q. Did you ever hear that it was read in your house? 

A. No, sir. 

Q. Did you ever hear that it was read at any other tavern? 

A. No, sir. 

Q. Did'nt I then give a pretty long explanation of what was 
•considered bribery and corruption he:e? V/as I not there about an 
hour? 

A. I don't recollect how long you were there. 

Q. Didn't I state that Mr. Stevens offered to bribe Lewis Dew- 
art, publicly in the House? 

A. It's very likely that you did. I didn't pay a great deal of 
attention to it. 

Q. Didn't I state that Lewis Dewart had got up and moved an 
amendment, for two hundred thousand dollars to the Fottsville 
and Dmville railroad, and that Mr. Stevens then asked him pub- 
licly in the House, whether he would vote for the bank bill, if they 
would allow it to him, and that Mr. Dewart had said that he would 
vote for lliis section, but he would not promise to vote for the bill, 
and that Mr. Stevens then had said, ''Ah! then we can't accom- 
modate you!" } 

A. I do not recollect that he said Dewart, fe'.it a member from 
Northumberland county. It's ycvy like that he mentioned the 
name also. 



26 

Q. Didn't I ali:o tell that the same was offered to Mr. Hill of 
Westmoreland? 

A. It's very like that he did. I don't recollect. 

Q. Didn't I call that public bribery.^ 

A. Yes, sir, he called it bribery. 

Q. Didn't I state, that in public debate in our House, it had 
been stated, that it had bribeiy on the face of it ? 

A. I don't recollect. 

Q. And that what was called the bribery part, was the induce- 
ment held out to members to vote for it, in apportioning the bonus 
to different parts of the state.'' 

A. I cannot recollect. 

Q. Did you hear me say that any member had received a private 
bribe } 

A. 1 understood fruir. iiim that Col. Krebs was offered a bribe, 
but he would not accept it. 

Q. Did you consider what I spoke of the other members being 
bribed — the same as Col. Krebs — when I said they were bought or 
bribed ? 

A. For my parr, I thought so. 

Q. Did you consider it the same as what I said about Mr. Stevens 
and Mr. Dewart? 

A. No, sir. Krebs' bribe I did not consider the same as Mr. 
Dewart's bribe. 

Q. Did'nt i say there loo, that I could have got the same 
chance as Mr. Dewiirt to get money for Schuylkill county, if I 
would agree to vote for the bill ? 

A. I believe I heard you say so. 

Q. Do you recollect what you said in reply? 

A. I told you that you cuglit to have done it. 

0. And what diil I allege as the reason Avhy I would not do it ? 

A. I cannot te!!. 

Q. Did'nt I s:iy that the bill, on the very face of if, liad too 
much bribery for my use. moaning for my conscience to swallow, 
aiid that it squandered away the money that it got for tlie bank 
bonus, and left u^ in a worse situation in another year than wu 
were now ? 

A. I dont recollect it. 

Queslion Inj Mr. fVoou'ward. — Did you understand Mr. Conrad 
at any time to say, that lie knew any offer to have been made, either 
in person or through an agent, to a member of the state Senate, if 
that Senator would vote for the bank bill ? 

A. I understood him to say that Col. Krebs was offered a bribe. 



27 

Questions by Mr. Dcwart. — What conversation passed between 
you and Mr. Weaver, when he took the marked list of Senators 
awaj from your house. 

A. He went to the marked list of Senators and took it down, 
and I told him that I would not allow that he should take it down ; 
and t!ien lie said that he wished to have it; I and Mr. Weidman 
then took tlie list into the parlor, and I put a private mark upon 
it, as did also Mr. Weidman ; when we went into the parlor, Mr, 
Weaver was not present. 

Q. Did Mr. Weaver inform you what he intended to do with 
the marked list of Senators he took from your House? 

A. I don't recollect that he did, but I expected that he would 
send it or take it up to Harrisburg. 

Q. Was he on his road up to Harrisbarg at the time.' 
A. No sir, he came from Harrisburg to Pottsville. 

Q. Do you know who gave the information that caused you to 
be subpoenaed before tiie committee.* 
A. No sir, 1 do not. 

QUESTIONS BY MR. CONRAD. 

Q. Didn't you know before you left home and come up, that you 
would be called upi)n to testily in relation to that paper? 

A I expected that at the very time that Weaver took it along. 

Q. Did you receive any iaiimaliDn by letter or verbally, by an}i 
one, what time you should be here at Harrisburg? 
A. No sir. 

Q. Do you know v/hat my business was at home on the 8th Feb. 
ru a ry? 

A. I believe you had a vendue advertised, either as executor o; 
administrator. 

Q. Was there an advertisement, up in your house? 

A. Yes sir. 

Q. Do you know how long tliat advertisement was up at you? 
house? 

A. I do not recollect — two or throe weeks, for what I know. 
Q. Was it not at the time of the Lebanon court? 

A. I don't recollect, but its a good while that it was hangin; 
there. 

Q. Was'nt it known or expected that I would be at home at 
that time? 

A. 1 believe it was. 



V 



\ 



' • 28 

The examination oF Mr. Filbert rested here, and Mr. Conrad 
called — 

John Weaver, who being sworn, testified as follows: 

QUESTIONS BY MR. CONRAD. 

Q. Do you recollect the time and place when Mr. Burd Pat- 
terson and me had a conversation in the rotunda .^^ 

A. Yes, sir. I was present at one time when they had a con- 
versation in the rotunda. There was a conversation took 
place. Mr. Patterson and myself were there before Mr. Conrad 
came in. Mr. Conrad came into the Hall. I think I called him 
over myself. Mr. Patterson was anxious to get Mr. Krebs to go 
for the bank bill, in order to get S200,000 for the Pottsville and 
Danville railroad. He asked me, and also Mr, Conrad to speak to 
Mr. Krebs. He said he thought our county ought to have some- 
thing. I think he mentioned to Mr. Conra.l that he wished him to 
speak to Mr. Krebs. That is pretty much all the talk there was 
there. The principal conversation was to induce Mr. Krebs to go 
for the bill, to get the v'S200,OCO to the Pottsville and DanviHe 
railroad. I was anxious myself that he should. I do not know 
whether Mr. Conrad said he would speak to him or not. I told 
jNlr. Patterson I would speak to him myself, but ufterv.'ards, on 
consideration, I did not speak to him. 

Q. Did I then get on my "high horse" and walk off? 

A. ?.]r. Patterson and myself, and Mr. Conrad stood and talk- 
ed awhdf, and I think that you and Mr. Patterson walked back, 
and had some conversation. 1 stood still. You then turned your 
faces round, an<l you come oft" and laughed. I don't recniiect 
whether we had any mor« conversation after that. I think Mr. 
Conrad went oO". I am not positive. 

Q. ^Vhen him and me v^alked back, did you hear the conversa- 
tion between him and me } 

A. I did not. The reason that I mentioned before, being that 
as they hnd walked back together, I believed they were talking, 
though I did not hear any conversation. 

Q. What length of time do you suppose it was after me and 
Mr. Patterson walked back until we separated? 

A. ' A very short time. It might have been a minute perhaps. 
You could not have had a great deal of conversation. 

Q. Did I laugh at Mr. Patterson, or did I laugh at you as I 
passed ? 

A. Mr. Conrad appeared to be in a very good humor; he laughed 
as he went along, whether at Mr. Patterson or me I don't know. 

Q. Mr. Patterson states in his evidence, that after I had refused 
to speak to Col. Krebs to induce him to vote for the bank bill, 



29 

had got on my high horse and walked off. Was that so — did I 
walk oft'? 

A. At the time that Mr. Conrad walked ott" I did'nt hear the 
coiiversation, Thej were back talking to themselves together. I 
don't know what passed between tliera. 

Q. Vk'hut is the bar.k bill generally called in our coiintj? 

A. It has different names. In Pottsville they call it the bank 
bill. 1 did hear some remaiks made about the name of it at Or- 
wigsburj;-. I dont know diat they called it any thinj^ else but the 
big bank bill. I was at the Orwigsburg meeting. There were dif- 
ferent things passed tliere, but I don't exactly recollect what they 
did call it. There was no particular name that I heard. 

Queslions b/j Mr. Beivait.—Ave you acquainted with Mr. Fat- 
ter so n.? 

A. I am. 

Q. What is Mr. Patterson's general character as to veracity? 
A. It's very good. I would as lief take Mr. Patterson's word 
as any other man's in the state. 

Q. Are you acquainted with Mr. Conrad.'^ What is his gener- 
al character.? 

A. His general cliaracteris good. 

Q. From tiie knowledge you have of Mr. Patterson, do you 
think that there might be implicit confidence placed in what he 
would say on this occasion.'' 

A. Certainly sir. I would believe Mr. Patterson upon oath as 
quiok as any man I ever knew ; or if he v.as not on oath, I would 
believe him as quick as any man 1 ever knew. I also would believe 
Mr. Conrad. 

Q. Would you put the same confidence in the one that you would 
in the other ? 

A. I wuuld. I don't think that either ,of them would say or 
swear to any thing but what they thought was right. 

The examination of Mr. Weaver rested here. Before another 
witness had been called, he again appeared before the committee, 
and asked permission to give the following further testimony, which 
he alleged he had forgotten on his first examination: — 

It was me that stated that Mr. Krebs had been in Congress, and 
in the state Senate, and had been in the Assembly, and that our 
party had concluded to leave Mr. Krebs off the ticket next fall, 
and put on Mr. Conrad. I forgot to state this part before, and I 
understood that there was some difference in their testimony. I 
stated this to Mr. Conrad. I am not sure tliat Mr. Patterson was 
present, but perhaps he was. I am positive that I mentioned it to 



30 

Mr. Conrad. Myself and Mr. Krebs and Mr. Conrad all belong 
to the same party. We have all gone pretty much together — alt 
hold to the democratic party — I believe all three of us — that is the 
party I mean. 

Questions by .^Ir Conrad. — Was this mentioned at the time we 
three were together ? 

A. 1 think it was ; I am pretty positive it was. 

Q. Was that mentioned before Mr. Patterson and Me walk- 
ed off? 

A. It must have been before. 

The examination of Mr. Weaver closed here, and 
BuRD Patteuson was iigain called, and testified as fuiiows: — 

Queshons by Mr. Deivart. — Are you intimately acquainted wilh 
Mr. Biddle, the President of the United States Bank ? 

A. No, sir, I have but a slight acquaintance vrish hita. 

Q. When did you first understand that t!ie friends of the bank 
intended to ap()!y to the Legislature of this slate for a charter.^^ 

A. I did not understand that they would or did apply at all. 

Q. Did you ever hear any of the friends of the bank say for what 
length of time they intended to iipply to the state for a charter } 

A. No, sir. After I came io Harrisburg, it was the subject of 
conversation, but i never heard. any thing before that time. 

Q. Before the banic bill was reported, had you any knowledge 
of the kind of bill that would be reported to charter tfie bank } 

A. No, sir, I had not. 

Q. Have you had any conversation with Mr. Conrad since you 
returned here on the subpcEnd.^ 

A. No, sir. 

Questions by Mr. Conrad. — Did you send any person to me, on 
your arrival, for the purpose of having a conversation with me, and 
talking this matter over ? 

A. I t'link not. I have no recollection of sending any body. I 
have no recollection of any conversation upon the subject with any 
person but Mr. Nichols. 

Q. ^^^^lilst you were here, had you any acquaintance with any 
director of the bank of the United States? 

A. Yes, sir, with one. It was Cheyney Hickman, a goyernmeat 
director. 



31 



The examination of Mr. Patterson rested here, and 

On motion of Mr. Woodward, 
The committee adjourned to meet at the call of the chairman. 



TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2S, 1836. 



The committee met pursuant to atijournment, at 3 o'clock, P. M. 

VViLLiABi GoRGAS was Called by Mr. Conrad, and being sworn, 
testifit'd as follows: 

Mr. Filbert told me that Mr. Conrad marked off the vote as it 
stood, and then told him (Mr. Filbert) that seven out of the twenty- 
one were positively bribed. 

The examination of Mr. Gorgas closed here, and 

Chakles Fraily being called and sworn, testified as follows : 

I understand that the letter which I received from Col. Krebs has 
been returned to Mr. Krebs. It was directed to myself and his soa 
Henry. 

QUESTIONS BY COMMITTEE. 

Q. Was there any writing accmipanying the letter except what 
was in the letter itself.'' 

A. From the knowledge that I have of it, I think the letter in 
question arrived with the same mail as anoth.er letter that I received 
from Col. Krebs. 

Q.. Did that other letter, to which you refer, direct what should 
be done with the letter ia question ? 

A. It did not direct, but it authorized mo to read the letter in the 
public meeting if I thought proper. That is about the substance of 
it. I have not got the letter with me. 

Q.. Did you receive any directions from Col. Krebs whether to 
have his letter published m the newspaper, or published in the 
proceedings of the meeting, or not ? 

A. The letter that I have reference to, and which I supposed ar- 
riyed by the same miil that brought the letter of Col. Krebs to me, 



32 

informed me that he had enqlosed a letter, directed to his son Henry 
and me, in another letter directed to his son Henry alone. I think 
he stated it might be read to the meeting, but that he did not wish 
any part of it to become a part of the proceedings of the meeting. 

The examination of Mr. Frailey closed here, and 

Thi committee adjourned to meet at the call of the chairman. 



WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1836. 



The committee met, at htlf past 7 o'clock, P. M. 

Martin Weaver was called by Mr. Conrad, and being sworn 
testified as follows : 

QUESTIONS BY MR. CONRAD. 

Q. Did Mr. Patterson leave this place before Col. Krebs' expla- 
nation, or exposition came out ? 

A. He did, I think, before the investigation took place. 1 met 
Mr. Patterson on the road between here and Pottsville on the route 
from here by the way of Jonestown. He was going h(>me. 

Q. Did he inform you of what was going on here.** 
A. No, sir. I passed him on the road, and there was no conver- 
sation on that subject at all. 

Q. Had you at that time seen tha paper that Mr. Filbert showed 
you — the marked list of Senators? 
A. No, Sir. 

Q,. At whose instance when you came here, was a special messen- 
ger sent oiFfor Mr. Patterson ? 

A. It was at my instance he was sent for. 

Q. You wrote him a letter ^ 

A. Yes. I considered him implicated, and professed to be a 
friend of his, and consequently sent for him. 

Q. Did you at that time give notice to the Hon. Chairman that a 
letter of mine had been read in a public tavern f 

A. No, sir, nor at any other time that I am aware of. 



33 

Q. What information did you give respecting a paper, or sorae- 
filing of the kind? 

A. I know of none other, unless it was the list of Senators which 
I;i;otin the tavern of Peter Filbert in Pinegrove, on my way from 
Harrisburg to Potisville. 

Q. How came you to get that paper? 

A. After we arrived at the inn of Peter Filbert, we were asked 
directly some questions in reference to the investigation in the 
Senate, and after some little conversation, my atttention was t'i- 
rected to a list of members of the Senate v.'hich was stuck against 
the wall, and which was said to have the pencil marks of Henry 
W. Conrad, designating tiie members of the Senate who had been 
either bought or bribed by the bank. 

Q. Who mentioned that there? 

A. I cannot say distinctly who the persons were that spoke of it 
particularly. There were a number, I recollect the names of some 
of those who were present. There was a Mr. Greaft", and a Mr. 
Weidman from Lebanon, and I think the cashier of the Lebanon 
bank was there, and perhaps five or six others, 

Q. Did any of these gentlemen say they saw me mark it, and 
heard me declare they were bought or bribed by the bank? 

A. I was told by some one that Peter Filbert h:id seen Mr, Con- 
rad put these marks upon the paper. Perhaps he mentioned it 
himself. I am not certain as to that. 

Q- And also heard me say that they were bought or bribed by 
the bank? 

A. Yes, that was the language used, I think. 1 felt a little in- 
dignant at the manner in which my friend Patterson was brought 
into this matter. I thought it a slander upon the Senate, and 
therefore I sent the list down. 

Q. Are you and Mr. Patterson partners in the coal business? 

A. We are not — v/e have no connection in business whatever, 
that I am aware of. 

Queslion by Mr. fVoodwrtrd. Did you ever hear Mr. Filbert say 
that he saw Mr. Conrad mark that paper? 

A. I cannot be altogether certain, but I think he did. As Mr; 
Filbert is a neighbor of Mr. Conrad, I would merely mention one 
thing; Mr. Filbert gave the paper to rae with a good deal of reluc- 
tance. 

Questionsby Mr. Dcwart. Who did you send that paper to? 
A. I enclossd it to John Dickey, Esq. a member of the Senate 

3 



34 

Q. Did you relate to Mr. Dickefwho had made tha marks on it? 

A. I think I did. He haa my letter on ilie subject- I merelj 
stated the facts and referred him to persons named in that ietteij 
to Mr. Filbert 1 think. 

[The above. letter, a copy of which is annexed, was here read.] 

The examination of Mr. Weaver rested here, and Mr. Conrad 
called — 

George Reifschneidek, Esq. who being sworn, testified as fol- 
lows : 

QUESTIONS BY MR. CONRAD. 

Q. Were you in company with Solomon Hower at the time vyhen 
he came from my house to Harrisburg? 

A. Yes sir. 

Q. Did you and him travel in the same sleigh? 

A. We did. 

Q. Did we travel in company from my house to Mr. Plank's? 

A. We did. 

Q. What conversation took place at Plank's, between me and 
other persons? 

A. There was a good deal more than I can recollect of. I re- 
collect we came to Plank's tavern, a quarter of an hour before you 
came there. When Mr. Conrad came into the house, the tirst 
word that I recollect hearing him say was, that he had met the 
Sergeant-at-Arms, between this and Sullenberger's, with a subpoe- 
na that he should appear before the Senate. 1 don't know wheth- 
er it was a subpoena or an attachment. It was a notice of some 
description respecting a bribery affair, as I understood it. Mr. 
Conrad seemed very much pleased that the thing would come to an 
investigation, as I thought. He signified as though he could prove 
it. 

Q. Did you hear me say, that the Antimasons had offered me 
820,000, and Col. Krebs $20,000 if I could induce Col. Krebs to 
vote for the bank, and that these, offers were made to me in pub- 
lic and private ? 

A. I recollect hearing you say that there had been offers made to 
you, in public and in private, but did not hear you say by whom 
they were made. I don't know that Mr. Conrad said by whoia 
they were offered, in my hearing. 

Q. Did you hear me make the distinction between what I called 
public or private bribes ? 
A. I don't recollect. 
Q. Don't you recollect that I mentioned, that inducements had 



35 

Wen offered or held out in debate — that cifers had been made ia 
members, that if" they would vote for the bilU thej ehould have so 
touch in their couutj ? 

A. I did not pay particular attention to the conversation, and 
do not recollect in what way you expressed yourself. 

Q. When I spoke of public and private bribes, did I say the 
antiinasons had done it ? 

A. I did not hear the name of antimasonry mentioned. I un- 
derstood that it was done through the agents of the bank- — by men 
who were anxious to have the bill passed; 

Q. When I spoke of tlie aiitimasonic party^ to what had I re- 
ference ? 

A. You referred to what I considered a kind of burlesque. You 
were teazing some old German friends with whom you were inti- 
mately acquainted, who had just come there as we were aboat rea- 
dy to start. Mr. Conrad had some jokes with them, as I under- 
stood them, and in the coursr of the conversation asked them if 
they were not sorry that they had supported the antimasonic ticket 
in this county, as 1 Understood it. 

Q. Did you hear me say that "it is not worth while for them to 
be so strict, for the antimasons have offered me twenty thousand 
do'lars privately and publicly, if I would go in favor of the bank, 
and get Esq. Krebs to go in favour of it too." 
- A. I understood that you said you had been spoken to, private- 
ly and publicly, and that large inducements had been held out if 
you wou'.dgo in favour of the bank. In my hearing, you did not 
Bay by whom, that I can recollect of. 

Q. Did you hear me say that any sum of money had been offered 
to me to get Col. Krebs round? 

A. It strikes me that you did say there w-as about S20,000, or 
something thereabouts. 

Q. What did you hear mentioned in relation to Col. Krebs? 

A. I don't recollect whether Mr. Krcbs's name was mentioned 
or not. It does strike me that you did say, that if you could turn 
him in favour of the bank bill, that he could retire witli a'fortune, 
or something to Ihat amount. I don't recollect wh.clher any ^f' 
cified sum was named, any more than that he would share with "-"^ 
rest. 

Q. Do I understand you to say, that I said that I k-'^ crTercd 
him that? 

A. No, sir, that you should prevail on him. 

Q. Who did I intimate to you, had oSered s^c^ inducements to 
Col. Krebs? 

A. I do not recollect. 



36 

Q. Did I mention the name of Burd Patterson ? 

A. I recollect of hearing the name of Burd Patterson mention- 
ed but do not recollect that he was named as the person ofter- 
ino- it. I don't recollect of any person being named. 

Q. When we talked of public and private bribes, did you hear 
me explain to the tavern keeper what I meant^bj public bribes ? 

A. No, sir. I went out of the house before you came out. You 
■were still talking with the landlord, but I don't know the parti- 
culars of your conversation. 

Q. Don't you recollect hearing me say that I had been offered 
20,000 dollars for the Pottsville and Danville railroad, if I would 
vote for the bill ? 

A. I heard you say that at Boyer's tavern, in this place. 

The examination of Mr. Reifschneider closed here, and Mr. 
Conrad called — 

Charles Ellet, who being'affirmed, testified as follows:-— 

Question by M)'. Conrad. — State when and where" you met me 
when I was going on home from Harrisburg ^ 

A. It was on or about the 6th of February, I think, that I met 
Mr. Conrad about ten miles this side of Pinegrove. I stopped him, 
and asked him some questions in reference to a letter from Col. 
Krebs, which had been read at Orwigsburg the night previous. 
After stating to him the contents of that letter as far as I had heard 
them, I asked him if the account contained in the letter was true. 
He told me that it was true, and that he had been requested by 
Burd Patterson to wait upon Col. Krebs and state to him that he, 
(Burd Patterson) was ready to make an arrangement hy which 
Col. Krebs should receive 20,000 dollars within two weeks from 
the passage of the bill, it he, (Col. Krebs) would vote for the same. 
I remarked to Mr. Conrad, that he must be jesting with me, or 
something to that effect. He then called upon God to witness 
that what he then said was true, and further pledged his salvation 
to the truth of what he then stated to me. 

The examination of Mr. Ellet closed here, and 

On motion of Woodward, 

The comipittee adjourned until 3 o'clock to-morrow afternoon-' 



\ 
\ 
\ 



WEDiNiESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1836. 



The committee met pursuant to adjournment, at 3 o'clock P. M. 

Jacob Krether was called by Mr. Conrad, and being sworn 
testified as follov.s: 

QUESTIONS BY MR. CONRAD. 

Q. Did I not call upon you to go with me to Mr. FilO/rfs tav- 
ern sometime about the 9th of February? 

A. I cannot say what dcy. but I went there with you 

Q. What took place between Mr. Filbert and niyseli A'h.jSt there? 

A. They talked about what transpired here about tiie bank bill. 
I cannot say what all they said. I did not p;iy particular at- 
tention to it. They talked about how the majority in the Senate 
would go for the bank bill — that seven of the Jacksonmen had 
flew the course. Then Filbert asked Mr. Conrad who they 
were, and Mr. Coniad mentioned their names. Then Filbert ask- 
ei\ him if he would have the goodness to mark the nanies with w 
pencil on a list — he would like to know wlio voted fur the bank 
bill. Conrad said he had no pencil. Filbert pave him his. Then 
they went to a desk in the room, and marked them then I suppose. 
Conrad said it would not be worth while to mark those who were 
elected on the bank ticicet. Then Filbert said he should make a 
difference in the mark. That's all I know. 

Q. In what language was the conversation between Filbert 
and me ? 

A. In Dutch. 

Q. Did you hear me make use of the words bought &. bribed.' 

A. Not as I know. 

Q. Were you there as long as we talked about that paper? 

A. I believe I was. 

Q. Do you recollect how long I was there, or that jokI Saw me 
go home.^ 

A. 1 do not, but I think I was as long there. 



3S 

The eraminatioa of Mr, Krether closed here, and Mr. Conra«i 
iicalled— 

Henry Umbhauer, who being sworn, testified a3 follows: 

Q. What is Mr. Filbert's general character in the neighborhood 
for truth.'' 

A. I cannot just say what the people all think. I cannot say 
what all think. It is too hard for me to answer. 

The examination of Mr. Umbhauer rested here, and Mr. Conrad 
called — 

Adam Hertzog, who being sworn, testified as follows: 

Q. What is Peter Filbert's general character for truth? 

A. It is hard to say, but I would say his character would not be 
very good. 

Q. How does Mr. Filbert and me (Mr. Conrad) stand? Ara 
tve friends or enemies? 

A. As far as I know, great enemiesj not good neighbors. 

QUESTIONS BY THE COMMITTEE. 

Q. When did you know Mr. Filbert and Mr. Conrad to quarrel? 
A. I don't know how long it is, but for some time they have 
been opposed to each other. 

Q. Did you ever know them quarrel? 

A. I have not heard it myself;^ but I have heard them talk a- 
boat it. 

Q. Does Mr. Conrad go to Mr. Filbert's tavern? 
A. As tar as I know, he goes there sometimes as he passes. 
Q. What did they quarrel about? 

A. I cannot say, but I have heard they have been opposed. I 
never knew them quarrel, as I can recollect. 

Question by Mr. Conrad. Did you ever hear Mr. Filbert speak 
disrespectfully of me? 

A. I have, several times. 

The examination of Mr. Hertzog closed here, and Mr. Conrad 
again called Henry Umbhauer, who further testified as follows: 

Questions by Mr. Conrad, Are Filbert and me good friends? 

A. Not very, I thinks 

Q. How long do you know we have not been good friends? 

A. About six or seven years. 

Q. Are we both tavern keepers in the sarae neighborhood 

A. Yes. 



29 

Q. Do you know what we quarrelled about? 
A. When Mr. Conrad would run for the Assembly, he did his 
best to keep him out. That's all about I know. 

The examination of Mr. Umbhauer closed here, and Mr. Conrad 
called IIexuy Zimjierman, who beittg sworn, testified as follows: 

Questions by Mr. Conrad. What is Mr. Filbert's general char- 
acter for truth, in the neighbourliood? 
A. Not so great as it should be. 
Q. How do Filbert and I stand as friends? 
A. Spiteful— I do not know what about. 

Tlie examination of Mr. Zimmerman closed here, and Martin 
Weaver was again called, and testified further as follows; 

Q. Are you acquainted with Mr. Filbert? 
A. Yes, some — not much. 
Q. What is his general character as to truth.' 
A. I cannot say. He keeps about as good a tavern as is in town, 
I have never heard any thing bad of the man. 

The examination of Mr. Weaver closed here, and 
Francis NiccoLS being called and sworn, testified as follows:—^ 

Q. Are you acquainted with Mr. Filbert ^ and what is his general 
character for truth ? 

A. My intercourse with that part of the country is so limited, 
that I cannot say what his general character is. I never heard any 
thing bad of the man. 

The testimony closed here, and the committee adjourned. 



\ 



40 



LETTERS 



Harriseurg, February 4, 3 856. 

Bear Sir — I have, sent you the bill as passed by the House of 
Representatives, in which the bank of the United States will be 
chartered for thirty years. Such a cunning scheme never was 
known before. The bank did not ask for it, and no petition pre- 
sented to the legislature, before tlie bill was reported, for a re- 
charter. The bank hail agents here as it is believed, but did not 
petition, but did it in an indirect manner to the committee who re- 
ported the bill. After this bill was reported, it appears that this 
bill is so drafted as to enlist a great many members who were 
formerly against the bank, and this monster has now such a power 
and will control the members who received part of the spoils in 
their sectibn of country. You have seen the bill how it provides 
for a sufficient number of members to secure the passage. The 
bill repeals the acts relative to state taxes. These acts txpire oil 
the 25th of March next by their own limitation, but that is put in to 
mislead the people. And the bill provides for th.e extension of the 
improvemento of the state in all quarters, which will afterwards com- 
pel the legislature to finish all the routes, or else the appropriations 
made in this bill are lost, if not connected with the rest already com- 
]]ileted. The log rolling system is in complete operation, and this 
bill was drafted for that special purpose, and the bank attached to 
it to be dragged along. Tlie friends of the bill boast a great deal 
about the bonus which the bank is to pay the state for their char- 
ter. The bank could pay double the amount in the bill and would 
slill be the gainer. As soon as the bill lias passed, it is believed 
that the stock will rise to one hundred and fifty dollars each share, 
which cost only one hundred dollars — that on twenty-eight mil- 
lions, will make fourteen millions (except the seven millions which 
the bank will have a right to sell after the United States have 
drawn their stock from the bank) and the bank is only to pay by 
the provisions of this bill, four millions five hundred thousand to 
the state. Here it will be seen that the bank has the best bar- 
gain, and will gain a hand;-ome sum. 

Since the passage of the bill in the House of Representatives, 
there are men here from all quarters of the state in favor of the 
\ bank, trying to get the members of the Senate to vote for it. I 

have been called upon often, and was told if 1 would vote for the 
ImII, I would ba jwade indepeadent; ana if I would ,%gree to it, an 



41 

arrangement would be made with me accordingly. Twenty thou- 
sand dollars I would have had for my vote, but I treated the men 
with contempt, and told them that I knew the sentiments of my 
constituents, and as poor as I was, the United States bank had 
not money enough to buy me. 

Democrats of Schuylkill county! Think what an aristocratic 
bank monopily will do. Th^y think with their money they can 
buy up votes enough to gain their ends. My opinion is, if this 
bill passes into a law (of which I have no doubt,) then the liberty 
of the people is gone forever, and before the charter expires again, 
the bank v/ill have it in their power to do what they please, and 
before many years will control our elections in every county of 
(he state. 

Your most obidient servant, &c. 

JACOB K.REBS. 

Charles Frailey Esq. & Henry Krebs. 



POTTSVILLE, F«b. 15, 1836. 

Dear Sir: — t inclose you a list of members of Senate, which 
has been the subject of reference for several days past, in a tavern 
at Pine Grove: You will find that it has pencil marks, thus (.) at 
the commencement of the names, said to have been made by H. 
W. Conrad, member of assembly, designating those who were 
bought or bribed by the U. S. bank — and those marked (o) as ori- 
ginal bank men. The landlord, Peter Filbert, a respectable citi- 
zen would testify to the fact, if necessary. He has perforated the 
marks (.) with a pin, in order to distinguish them, should he be 
called on. He said that Conrad had expressed a doubt as to one 
ot them, pprhaps Mr. Read. For other wicked and slanderous ex- 
pressions of his, while visiting his county, a Mr. Graft, merchant, 
Thomas Buyer, miller, and many other citizens of Pinegrove 
might be referred to. 

Please shew this to Mr. Atkinson, who I promised to give anj 
information on the subject I might get in possession of. 
Yours, ^c. respectfully, 

M. WEAVERo 
John Dickey, Esq, Senator. 

"4 



42 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE, 



The committee charged to inquire into the circumstances of the 
attempt alleged to have been made by Henry W. Conrad, a mem- 
ber ot the House of Representatives, from the county (.f Schuyikiil, 
corruptly to iniluence and bribe the vote of Jacob Krebs, a member 
of the Senate, from the Senatorial district, composed of the counties 
of Berks and Schuylkill, in reference to tlie bill entitled "An act 
to repeal the state tax on real and persona! property, and to con- 
tinue and extend the improvements of the state by railroads and 
canals, and to charter a state bank, to be called the bank of the 
United States." — Report, 

That they have carefully examified into all the facts connected 
with the transaction referred to in the resolution, and caused to be 
reduced to writing the testimony of all the witnesses examined, 
which is herewith transmitted for the consideration of the House. 
It appears from the testimony, that on the tenth day of February, 
ult, Jacob Krebs, a member of the Senate, stated in writing to the 
Senate as follows: — 

" About the 30th of January last, or the 1st of February instant, 
Henry W. Conrad, Esq. told me that I v.ould be made indepen- 
dent, if I would vote for the bill chartering the Bank of the United 
States 5 that I conld for certain get twenty thousand' dollars, and 
that if I agreed to do so, that Burd Paiterson would make the ar- 
rangement with me for the same ; thr.t I could get it in two weeks 
after the bill had passed into a law. I told him that the United 
States Bank had not money enough to buy my vote." 

He was subpoenaed as a witness bchire the committee, and re- 
peated the same statements under oath. The representation origin- 
ally made by him to the Senate, and, in earlier communications, 
to his constituents and others, were calculated, and without doubt 
intended to induce the belief that the Bank of the United States, 
through its agents, had endeavoured to procure a charter by dis- 
honest and dishonorable mean?-, corisumniated by an atte:npt, if not 
anactur.l purchase of one or more members of the legislature. The 
committee deem it of great importance to ascertain whether the 
bank were guilty of sucli attempt j and if not, whether the propa- 



43 

gation of ?ucli belief arose from honost ignorance or wilful misre- 
presentation. If the Bank of the United States and its agents were 
guiltj of such corruption, it and they merit tlie iininingled indig- 
nation of the public. If th.ej be innocent, and any member of the 
legislature rashly and ignoiantly not only charged them with it, 
but thereby laid open to suspicion the conduct of many members 
of the legislature, it vvoiiid be difficidt for the moat enlarged charity 
to look upon hiiu without abhorrence. Eut if such slander were 
the result of deliberate and wilful design, its author deserves to 
have a mark fixed upon him, that hereafter he may be kao wn when- 
ever he walks forth among honest and confiding 'men. 

The testimony proves that, while the bill referred to was pend- 
ing before the legislature, Henry W. Conrad informed Mr. lvrebs» 
" that fortune awaited him ; that if he would vote for the bank bi/l, 
fie could retire from public life independent ; that he could receive 
£0,000 dollars for his vote in two weeks after the bill became a law; 
that liurd Patterson was ready to make the arrangements with hiin.''^ 
Such was the testimony of Mr. Krebs, who swore that, at the time, 
he believed Mv. Consad serious in the proposition j from what lie 
has since heard him say on the subject, he believes him serious in 
the assertion, that he was autliorized to make such proposition ; 
but says that he did not consider Mr. Conrad as tlesiring iiini to 
accept the offer. Mr. Conrad has produced evidence to prove that 
lie had no desire, and did not attempt to induce Mr. Krebs to ac- 
cept the bribe, although he admits that he communicated to him 
such an offer; and has taken especial pains throughout the whole 
investigation to prove, and has fully satisfied the committee, that 
he repeatedly and earnestly asserted and attempted (o make others 
believe that such a proposition had b 'en made to him, and that ef- 
forts were making by the bank to bribe the Senate. 

No testimony has been produced to create thes!ig!)est suspicion 
that the bank ever authoiized any person to make any such over- 
ture ; or that it ever was made to Henry W. Coiirajl by M\: Pat- 
terson or any other person. On i\\e other hand. Ivjr. Patterson, 
whose character for truth is unimnoaciied, and who is proved and 
admitted to be a gentleman of proverbial honour and honesty, un- 
equivocally denies ever having said any thing to Mr. Conrad which 
could be mistaken for such a proposition ; and he as positively as- 
serts that he never had any agency from or connection witli the 
bank of the Utdted States. His testimony is corroborated by Mr. 
John Weaver, a witness called by Mr. Conrad, who Was present 
at the conversation between Mr. Patterson and him. 

The committee are therefore constrained to declare their belief, 
that the allegation made by Mr. Conrad, that he Vi-as authorised 
by Mr. Patterson, or any other person, to tender to Mr. Krebs any 
pecuniary reward or personal advantage as the consideration for 
his vote, is uholiy destitute of truth, and the mere fabrication of 
Mr. Conrad. Nor can they believe tiiat at the time he /?'rs: made 
the declaration to Mr. Krebs, he intended to be understood, or 



44 

was understood by Mr. Krebs, or by those who heard him, at 
seriously attempting, or asserting that others would attempt cor- 
ruptly to influence the vote of the Senator. It was said in a jo- 
cose and rallying manner, in a public tavern, in the presence of 
six or eight gentlemen ; the whole cimversation was in so loud a 
voice as to be distinctly audible in tiie adjoining bar-room, which 
was filled with company, and the door between the two rooms 
open. It is hardly credible that men of common prudence would 
seriously make a corrupt proposition under such circumstances ; 
or that it could be so understood by discreet men. This opinion 
is corroborated by the neglect of Mr. Krebs, ybr len days, to com- 
municate the facts to the Senate ; and then only doing it after a 
vague rumour of their existence had reached that body from the 
distant county which he represents, and upon a formal resolution 
calling upon him for inforiiiation. Had he believed such attempt 
to be serious, his duty required him promptly t» bring the matter 
before the Senate, and demand the punishmeirt of the principal 
and the agent. And his honour and integrity could not fail to 
be deeply compromised by his failure to do so. Equally impera- 
tive also was it on Mr. Conrad to have informed the House of the 
foul attempt to make him the corrupt agent of so iniquitous a trans- 
action, that the ottender might be dealt with according to his 
merits. To suppose that Mr. Conrad had received such a pro- 
position, or that Mr. Krebs so believed, and yet concealed it from 
the legislature, would argue them so insensible to the insults of 
corruption, and be so high an im|ieachment of their characters, as 
to deter the committee, without convincing proof, from coming to 
these conclusions. They, therefore, unequivocally acquit Mr. Con- 
rad of the charge of attempting to bribe Mr. Krebs, or of having 
become, or being desired to become an agent for that purpose. And 
they regret that such acquittal involves him, under the evidence 
before them, in the conviction of practices no less iniquitous, and 
guilt no less censurable than bribery itself; and they withhold the 
the same remark from Mr. Krebs, for no other reason than want of 
jurisdiction over him. 

The committee believe that a deliberate plan was co:icocted be- 
yond the limits of Pennsylvania, to control the deliberations of the 
legislature by the pressure of the people acting under an excite- 
ment created by incendiary falsehoods, sent forth upon responsi- 
ble authority, charging the bank with bribery, and tlie Senate with 
interested treachery. And it is much to be regretted that lit in- 
struments for the execution of such a plot, were found among the 
representatives of tlie people, who were willing not only to tarnish 
the character of the legislature of this commonwealth, but to sacri- 
fice its interests to tlie unprincipled dictates of Party. In the 
prosecution of such design, as is believed, Mr. Krebs wrote to his 
friends in Schuylkill under date of the 20th February, 183 6, the 
inflammatory letter which accompanies the testimony; in which he 
stated ^'•that he had been called upon often by men in favor of the 



45 

banki and that he could have had g20,000/or his vote.'''' He testi- 
fies that when [he wrote this letter, he knew that a meeting was 
about to be held in Schuylkill county, in which he designed the 
letter to be read. Charles Frailey, to whom it was directed, tes- 
tified tluit he received another letter from Mr. Krebs, bij the same 
mail, requesting him ti) read the '• litter" to tiie nieeting, but not 
to allow it to be made a part oftlieir proceeditig'*. Thus evident- 
Iv intendin;; to producea violent impressioti upon the public mind, 
ami conceal the cause, t!iat it inii;;ht appear to be t!\e spontaneous 
indignation of the people against the provisions of the bill, and to 
prevent, by concealment, the detection of the faLsehood. Mr. Con- 
rad, about the saro;^, time, had occasion to visit Sdiuvlkill county, 
when he repeatedly asserted that he and Mr. Krebs were oftered 
bribes of * 20, 000 to support thi- biil. iie even went so far as to 
point out on a prnted list of Senators which hung up in a public 
house at Pi.iegrove, the names of eight Senators who had voted for 
the bank bill, and who he said were ** bought or bribed." Tlie 
contents of the letter thus v/rittcn by Mr. Krebs, and the declara- 
tions of Mr. Conrad, came tube known at Hani^biirg, and Mr. 
Krebs was prevaile;! upon to make a similar statement for publi- 
cation, wiiich was extensively circulated in handbills throu"-hout 
the state. Hilharto the naine of the agent had not been given by 
Mr. Krebs, and it is extremely doubtful, whether at the time he 
wrote his >"■ letter," he had any particular person in view. Certain 
it is, that had he named Mr. Conrad as the agent, the plot would 
have failed of elVect and been deemed ridiculous, as he belonged to 
the same political party witli Idaiself, and had been, and was a uni- 
form and ii temperate opponent of the i)ank. But when the char- 
ges which he had sent forth were discovered, and lie was called 
upon to answer for them before the Senate, he took advantage of the 
casual and unmeaning remarks of Mr. Conrad, to shelter himselt 
from the consequences of detected calumny. And Mr. Conrad, 
finding himself charged with being the author as well as propao-a- 
tor of the slander, attempted to divert public indignation from him- 
self and fix it upon another, by boldly maintaining the reality of 
the corrupt proposition. These, as far as we are capable of judo-- 
ing, are the facts and the motives of the actors in these humiliatint^' 
scenes ; disgraceful alike to Mr. Coniad, whether we consider the 
proposition as having been actually made to liim, and by him com- 
municated to Mr. Krebs, but concealed from the liousej or, wheth- 
er we deem it a sheer invention, industriously pr(»pagated for the 
purpose of bringing disgrace upon the bank and the Senators, an4 
of deceiving the people. Whether we adopt the former or latter 
supposition; whether we award the front rank in this inglorious 
race to him or to Mr. Krebs, can be of but little importance; in 
either event, he will have acquired sufiicient notoriety to secure to 
himself an immortality of infamv. 

The committee feel ^reat delicacy in attempting to recommend 
to the House the ulterior measures which it may be necessary to 






46 

adoDt. If we. are correct in the opinion that Mr. Conrad has re- 
sorted to wilftj] misrepresentations to brins; odium upon honorable 
men for the faithful dischari2;s of tlieir official duties, no punish- 
ment, in tlie power of the Mouse to inflict, could be deemed dis- 
proportionate to the ofl'ence. Justice and self-respect would seem 
to require that the Mouse should be purged of bis presence. But 
lii". expulsion would create the necessity of a special election, 
which would be expensive and burt!iensom3 to his constituents. 
Tlie committee are unwilling to recommend a measure which would 
involve the innocent with the guilty. They therefore submit to 
tr.e Mouse the following resolution : 

Resolved, Tiiat on the day of , Henry W. Con- 

rad be placed at the bar of the House, and publicly reprimanded 
by the Speaker. 



REPORT OF MR. WOODWARD. 



Whereas, Jacob Krebs, a member of the Senate, has stated ok 
the floor of the Senate, that Henry W. Conrad, a member of this 
House, attempted corruptly to influence and bribe him to vote for 
a certain bill, then pending before tlie Senate ; 

And Whereas, if such be the fact, and sucli attempt were seri- 
ously made, the said Henry W. Conrad is unworthy longer to be 
a member of this House, and deserves to be forthwith expelled 
therefrom; 

Therefore, 

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the al- 
legation above cited, with power to send for persons and papers, 
and that due notice of this investi;ration be sriven to the said H. W. 
Conrad. 

The undersigned, from the committee appointed agreeably to the 
above resolution, regrets that he is unable to agree with the report 
of tlie majority of the committee. 

The undersigned believes that under the resolution, the com- 
mittee had autliority only to inquire, whether Henry W. Conrad 
had "attempted corruptly to inilu^i'ice and bribe " Jacob Krebs, 
a member of tiie Senate. It is not in evidence before the co;nmit- 
tee, that Henry W. Conrad did so attempt to influence and bribe 
Jacob Krebs, and therefore he, the said Henry ^V. Conrad, is not 



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